How the Yanks outplayed the Reggae Boyz – Tactical Analysis

Yanks Start Out Organized

The US started the match with the same lineup that defeated Germany on Sunday. Klinsmann has slightly adjusted his side from more of a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-1-1. The US elected to not pressure high in the match though they troubled Germany with the tactic on Sunday.

Instead, Klinsmann had his midfield mark tightly around the halfway line while Altidore and Dempsey funneled the ball out wide. This led to Jamaica’s back four sending long balls towards Ryan Johnson because the center of the park was closed down and they did not want to risk losing possession in a dangerous area.

While Fabian Johnson has provided width on the left side, he went through long spells of play without making an impact. Early on he received two early diagonals. The first eventually led to to Bradley hitting a volley off the post.

Jones sent a looping ball for Johnson to run onto which he was able to control and hold the ball up with support from Altidore. The second diagonal Johnson cut inside and his shot was easily saved by Ricketts. Johnson needs to go one on one and have an attacking mindset more often especially with Zusi suspended.

In addition to Johnson, Clint Dempsey had a quiet night for his standards. This Opta chalkboard shows Dempsey’s passing in the final third which should be filled with more green circles and arrows.

 

In fairness to him he was getting kicked hard by the Jamaican midfield and must have been frustrated. However, in the home matches, Dempsey needs to be on the ball closer to goal and replicate the linkup play he had with Altidore in the Germany match.

US Defense Comfortable

Until the very late equalizer from a set piece, the US defense was only troubled once. In the 39^th minute, Ryan Johnson sent a chipped in ball over the head of Omar Gonzalez to send Austin through on goal but his strike hit the post.

While Gonzalez could have marked Johnson tighter and not allow him to turn, he had no help with the runner Austin. Seen in this picture, Austin makes his run while Evans and Besler try and play him offside and Bradley and Jones failed to track the run. It was a rare breakdown on the night, but a worrying sign from a simple linkup play from Jamaica.

 

 

Other than this chance, Jamaica offered very little threat. The Reggae Boyz lacked cohesion in their buildup play. With each player on a different page, the attack had zero creativity. Early on, they tried to overlap and attack down the left flank and test Brad Evans.

Evans held up pretty well with the help of Graham Zusi tracking back. When Jamaica were able to swing in a cross, it was wayward and only Ryan Johnson was regularly in the box to try and win a header. The Reggae Boyz found minimal success attacking through the middle due to Jones and Bradley’s diligent marking and tracking back to close down space in the final third.

The Goals

In the twenty ninth minute the Yanks snatched the lead. Zusi beat his man to gain space to send in a cross right at the top of the six yard box. His cross found Altidore’s head at the back post after Clint Dempsey made a late run to occupy the eyes of centerback Daniel Gordon.

The final five minutes contained the final two goals of the match. After Zusi was booked in the 89^th minute, a long looping cross was sent into the box and Jermaine Beckford headed home unmarked. While he was probably offside, the marking by the US was nonexistent.

But, the Yanks stole the three points three minutes later. After winning a corner, Bradley quickly played it to Zusi. The Roma midfielder received a pass back and found Brad Evans inside the box.

Bizarrely, Evans was unmarked and he turned and poked the ball over Ricketts. (top)

Replacing Zusi & Jones v Panama

Although not officially ruled out with a concussion, Jermaine Jones will most likely sit out on Tuesday. Furthermore, Zusi will serve a suspension for yellow card accumulation. Klinsmann has decisions to make since the US injury list continues to pile up.

In the center, Cameron seems to be preferred since he came off the bench when Jones departed. He sat deeper as more of a holding player which allowed Bradley to have freedom to get forward. Due to his endless energy, Bradley has made a name for himself with late runs into the box leading to shots on goal and passes to his striker.

On the right side, Zusi will be a loss since he has broken out in the past year and earned regular first eleven minutes. While he can hit a sweet cross, the Kansas City midfielder is ideal on the outside due to his willingness to track back. It is easy to tell he loves putting on the red, white and blue since he gives maximum effort. Against Mexico he made an amazing 50 yard run into his own box to win back possession when it looked like Mexico had a chance to score late in the second half.

Rumors abound that Joe Corona will step in to start. Honestly, I have seen very little of him but prefer seeing him in the lineup. Although Brad Davis has a sweet left foot, he lacks the pace and skill to take defenders one v one.

Thus, I cannot see him ever developing into a first choice player. Corona on the other hand is younger and it is always good for a manager to test out young players to see if they can contribute to the side. The third option would be Eddie Johnson. Johnson has been fantastic for the Sounders but playing him in an unnatural role is not ideal, whereas Corona is a more schooled wide man. Used to being up front, Johnson may be less attentive in his defensive duties.

Conclusions

Three points on the road in Concacaf should always be celebrated. However, after watching Jamaica play 180 minutes in a week, it is easy to see why they sit last in the hex. Simply put they have nothing going forward.

As a result, I am hesitant to declare the US back four a slam dunk and a solid unit. One game against an impotent attack should not settle the debate over which players are best fit to start. Evans and Beasley might continue to start at fullback but it does not mean that their positions should be secure for the future.

Let’s hear your thoughts on the match and who should start v Panama. Tweet me @kpngacleansheet or write on Keeping a Clean Sheet’s Facebook Wall.